RAHEEM Sterling confronted the masked burglar gang who broke into his home with a knife, it is understood.

The brave dad reportedly got hold of the weapon to protect his young family after the group of robbers smashed into his house.

The England international is understood to have been at home with his family in Berkshire on Saturday when the second break-in took place.

A source said: “He had no choice. He did what any loving father would do, looking to protect his young family.

“He needed some form of defence as he confronted multiple masked men.”

It’s the second time the Chelsea ace’s home has been broken into.

He was previously forced to race back from the World Cup after burglars smashed into his home in 2022.

This time, it’s believed masked men tried to break in at around 6.30pm, the Telegraph reported.

A spokesperson for the footballer confirmed he and his children were home at the time but they are all safe.

The 30-year-old lives with his partner and three of their children.

Thames Valley Police are investigating.

A spokesperson said: “Officers are conducting a thorough investigation and ask anyone with information, or if they saw anyone in the area acting suspiciously, to contact police.”

The Chelsea ace pulled out of England’s last-16 tie with Senegal in 2022 after learning of another invasion at his home.

An FA statement read at the time: “Raheem Sterling is not available for selection for the #ThreeLions tonight as he is dealing with a family matter.“

The shock announcement came just hours before the Three Lions were due to kick off against the African Cup of Nations champs.

Speaking after the match in 2022, England manager Gareth Southgate said he didn’t know if Sterling would return to Qatar in time for the Three Lions’ clash with France.

The England boss said: “We’ve got to wait and see. At the moment clearly the priority is for him to be with his family and we’re going to support that and leave him to have as much time as he needs. He’s going home.”

Asked if the winger would feature in England’s quarter-final match, Southgate said: “It’s a situation that he needs time with his family to deal with and I don’t want to put him under any pressure with that.

“Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.”

Emiliano Krosi, 24, carried out 33 burglaries, including the raid on the England star’s home on December 3, 2022.

He was part of a gang that used a ladder in the rear garden to climb through Arsenal ace Sterling’s bedroom window and steal ten of his Rolex watches.

An estimated £300,000 of designer gear was taken from the footballer’s £7million home in Oxshott, Surrey.

Albanian Krosi, who travelled illegally to the UK in the back of a lorry, previously admitted to being involved in 15 of the burglaries.

But at Guilford Crown Court, Judge Catherine Hartley ruled he was involved in the remaining 18 break-ins.

She sentenced him to a total of 12 years and ten months in prison.

The judge said: “You are a dishonest and greedy man who willingly and enthusiastically took part in what was a familial, criminal gang.

“Your greed and your criminality has resulted in a huge toll of human misery.”

His offending took place while on bail after being caught with cocaine and cannabis on a train from London Euston to Coventry.

Krosi, from Southend, Essex, was sentenced to 19 months for possession with intent to supply which will run consecutively to the ­sentence for burglary.